Indiana Wrestling Signs Five Hoosiers

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– Indiana Wrestling head coach Angel Escobedo announced the program's 2025 signing class on Friday.

Indiana signed five prospects today, including Jackson Blum, Gavin Jendreas, Matt Kowalski, Hunter Sturgill and Carson Thomas.

The class features wrestlers from four different states, including one in-state Hoosier, two from Ohio, one from Michigan and one from Tennessee.

Jackson Blum | 125/133 lbs. | Lowell, Mich.

Wrestles for Lowell High School.
High school coach is RJ Boudro.
Wrestles club for Premier Wrestling Club.
Has eclipsed 100 high school wins.
Three-time individual state champion and part of three team state championships.
Two-time Fargo All-American.
All-American at Super 32.
U17 All-American.
Intended Major: Sports Media.
Why IU: "I picked IU because of the culture. From the campus, the team, and the coaches there is no other place like it. It is truly a place where I feel that I can be myself and continue to become the best version of myself. Once you come here, you realize that it's a special place and there is nowhere else I would want to be."

Gavin Jendreas | 125 lbs. | Crown Point, Ind.

Wrestles at Crown Point High School.
High school coaches are Brandon Lorek and Bill Hawkins.
Wrestles club for Region Wrestling Academy.
Got 4^th place at Junior Nationals.
Fargo All-American.
Was part of two state championship teams with Crown Point and has won three dual state championships.
Will be joining three high school teammates at IU.
Intended Major: Finance.
Why IU: "I picked IU because I felt like there was no other environment that could help me excel quite like the one at Indiana University."

Matt Kowalski | 197 lbs. | Springboro, Ohio

Wrestles at Springboro High School.
High school coaches are Fred Boulton and Doug Kowalski.
Club team is SAW.
Has a high school record of 127-30 with 85 pins.
Won 2024 D1 All-Area Wrestler of the Year and was Springboro's 2024 Male Athlete of the Year.
2024 Ohio D1 State Champion and 2022 Ohio Freestyle state champion.
Three-time Ohio state qualifier and two-time Ohio State placer.
Placed at Ironman.
Was part of 2022 Ohio Freestyle National Team Champions.
Intended Major: Criminal Justice.
Why IU: "After my first practice I could see myself grinding there for the next 5 years. Coaches and teammates were like family."

Hunter Sturgill | 149 lbs. | Maryville, Tenn.

Wrestles at The Baylor School.
High school coaches are Rex Kendle, Joe Blackwell and Andrew Berreyessa.
Wrestles club for Baylor Wrestling Club.
Three-time Tennessee state champion.
Two-time Fargo All-American.
Intended Major: Biology.
Why IU: "The prospect of creating the next great Indiana Wrestling dynasty was nothing short of exciting. Being a part of something so awesome was really hard to turn away from."

Carson Thomas | 184/197 lbs. | Ross, Ohio

Wrestles for La Salle High School.
Club team is Spatola.
2024 Ohio state champion and a 2023 Ohio state runner-up.
Got 3^rd place at Fargo in 2024 and 4^th place in 2023.
2024 Super 32 Champion.
Got 3^rd place at 2024 Escape the Rock.
Has eclipsed 100 high school wins and was the GCL Wrestler of the Year as both a sophomore and junior.
His high school team has never lost in the GCL in his time there and has two top-six finishes at state.
Intended Major: Business.
Why IU: "It's a team that feels like family."

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